Teachers helping student athletes see the big picture

Teachers have one of the most difficult jobs in the entire world. Managing a myriad of personalities 5 days a week over the course of 180 days is an arduous task. In addition managing so many personalities and being responsible for developing lesson plans, grading, and issuing out homework teachers are very underpaid. One of the most often looked over parts of being a teacher is they have to help students see the big picture. This concept applies to non student athletes as well but mostly for student athletes. Given only 2% of college athletes are granted the opportunity to continue playing sports professionally this leaves 98% of college athletes wondering what is next.

According to the Public School Review website the average student to teacher ratio for the state of California is 24:1. One adult is responsible for teaching and providing discipline for twenty four children. Being a teacher requires the ability to multitask while they are teaching there will be several students who fill the need to be disruptive. So identifying those disruptive students and holding them accountable for their actions is very important. If those students aren't held accountable for their actions they will continue to be disruptive and make learning seem impossible for their fellow classmates.

In addition to not having much classroom support teachers in the state of California are very underpaid compared to elsewhere. According to (OEA) Oakland Education Association the starting salary for teachers is $46, 570 over 10 months. In order to receive a pay increase a teacher has to work a number of years to see a significant increase.The cost of living in the state of California is relatively expensive and that is why in late February 2019 the Oakland Unified School District went on strike for a week and a half.

Some student athletes expect teachers to just pass them without putting in the necessary work to receive an adequate grade. In their minds they think all they have to do is show up to class, achieve the qualifying score on standardized tests, get admitted into college. Once they are in college they think doing the bare minimum to get by for a few years then off to the NBA or NFL they go. However, it doesn't work like that the NBA and NFL isn't a complete guarantee. When teachers and professors break it down to their students that making it pro's is slim they should not be ridiculed or condemned for it. All they are trying to do is be realistic and open students minds to other possible career endeavors.

James Platt who has been teaching in Oakland for approximately 3 years now recently sat down to discuss his experience thus far. Platt taught 7th grade History and English at Oakland Charter Academy from 2017-2018. The past two years he has been teaching Mathematics to high school students at ARISE High School. When asked what level he enjoys teaching here is what Platt had to say "I enjoy teaching high school students because they are lot easier to reason with," Platt said. Platt's students often confide in him about information surrounding stocks, life, and shoes. When asked why he thinks his students turn to him for advice he had this to say "I did fifteen years in corporate America," Platt said. Having worked in a different work environment prior to teaching makes students curious to know what did before.

In conclusion, teachers in general are underpaid but have a grave impact on students lives. Teachers are more than teachers they are also mentors and the voice of reason. Sometimes students don't like being told what to do or be given constructive criticism. Most importantly student athletes don't like to hear teachers tell them their chances of making to the NFL or NBA are slim to none. In reality teachers are just doing their jobs and helping students think outside of the box and view alternative career options because playing professional sports may not happen. Teachers need to thanked more and compensated more for all that they do for students.